The first day as a senior leader for Mother McAuley outside hitter Sydney Buchanan began even before the first serve Tuesday night.
It actually started happening in the hallway as the Mighty Macs were about to enter the court for their home opener against Joliet Catholic.
Sophomore setter Peyton Heatherly eagerly explained.
“I always get nervous before every match,” she said. “Ellie White would always be the person I went to talk with. Before we ran out today, I went up to Sydney and said, ‘I’m really nervous.’
“And she said, ‘Peyton, it’s going to be OK. We’re going to do what we need to do.’”
And then Buchanan went out and did many things to help McAuley post a 25-12, 25-16 nonconference victory before a large and appreciative home crowd in Mount Greenwood.
Buchanan, a Memphis recruit, led the Mighty Macs (1-0) with eight kills, six digs, eight service points and three aces. Abbey Williams added six kills and three blocks, while Heatherly contributed 18 assists and Lucy Maloney made 12 digs.
Ellie Blotnik tallied three kills and two aces to lead Joliet Catholic (0-1). Brooke Simon, Olivia Chovanec and Heavenly Sarfo had three kills apiece.
The 5-foot-11 Buchanan wasn’t exactly a wallflower last season.
She chalked up 190 kills, 21 blocks and 49 digs en route to earning all-area honors, delivering her best match of the season in a huge Class 4A sectional final victory over Marist before helping McAuley win the state title.
“Last season, I definitely had times when I was down on myself,” Buchanan said. “Those state playoff matches really helped me with my confidence. Even in my club season as well.
“I was able to bring that into this season.”
Filling a hole left by one of the best to ever wear a McAuley uniform was a daunting task that Buchanan has embraced.
“For me, players like Ellie and Ellery (Rees) really paved the way for me,” she said. “I was able to learn how to take control from Ellie. Having that background, I could go into this season knowing how to follow in her footsteps.
“She’s awesome. She’ll always be a person I look up to and prove (to her) that we’ll still be a force this season.”
Buchanan came out on fire against Joliet Catholic, putting down McAuley’s first four kills in the first game. Each one, it seemed, had more steam than the previous shot.
Heatherly didn’t hesitate to give her the ball.
“Sydney is definitely a force to be reckoned with on the outside,” Heatherly said. “Last season, she was a great hitter and player, but this season I think she’s stepping up even more as a captain and now as a six-rotation player.”
Indeed, Buchanan’s contributions in Tuesday’s victory went well beyond her powerful right arm.
On defense, she was absolute nails in keeping balls alive from the back row. At the service line, she showcased one of the most difficult serves for the opposition to handle. The Angels were often out of system trying to return the ball.
Mentioning her defense brought the biggest smile.
“I’ve always felt pretty solid with serving,” Buchanan said. “But defense and serve receive has always been my main issue. I spent a lot of time during the summer focusing on that, and then taking in everything coach (Jen) DeJarld said.”
Consider DeJarld impressed — but not surprised.
“I mean, are you surprised?” DeJarld said. “She’s a three-year starter. She’s been a big hammer for us. But Ellie was such a star for us, while Sydney just did her part.
“This season, I anticipated that she was going to be chosen captain, and she was. And now, Sydney is stepping up. She has to. She’s going to.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
